Paducah Citizens' Academy

Your Passport to City Government

The Paducah Citizens’ Academy is your Passport to City Government. The Academy connects participants to their local government through interactive sessions with the City Manager, Executive Leadership Team, and staff about the inner workings of city government. Participants also have the opportunity to learn about the floodwall, tour city facilities, and more.

The program is free to participants; however, class size is limited. Individuals 16 years of age and older who live, work, or attend school in Paducah-McCracken County are encouraged to apply. The Paducah Citizens’ Academy is similar in structure to the highly successful Citizens’ Police Academy offered through the Paducah Police Department.

Topics covered include

• City Government 101 (Administration, City Clerk, Customer Experience, Grants, and Communications)
• Keeping You Safe (Fire Department)
• Serving with Pride (Police Department and E911)
• Always Something to Do (Parks & Recreation Department)
• Dollars and Sensibility (Finance Department)
• Internal Services (Technology and Human Resources Departments)
• Streets, Streams, and Strategies (Engineering Department)
• Basic Necessities (Public Works Department)
• Building for Tomorrow (Planning Department)

City Manager Daron Jordan said, “The Paducah Citizens’ Academy provides citizens a unique opportunity to see behind-the-scenes of city government. Through interactive activities and interesting conversations, the Citizens’ Academy strengthens our community connections. Our hope is that each graduate will share their city government knowledge and experience with their friends and family. Local government has its complexities, but through the Citizens’ Academy, we are working to share with the public the value of local government and how we accomplish projects and provide services."

2025 Academy (completed) - Check back for the 2026 Academy 

Registration closed April 6. The 2025 Paducah Citizens’ Academy was held on nine consecutive Thursday evenings beginning April 17. A graduation ceremony was held at the June 24 meeting of the Paducah Board of Commissioners with a reception before the meeting. The list of graduates and a graduation photo are below.

Graduation Photos

2025

The 24 graduates of the 2025 Paducah Citizens’ Academy are as follows in alphabetical order: Kelly Alsip; Rebecca Alsip; Hanna Carrico; Gerard Dages; Jennifer Davis; Madalyn Davis; Sam Davis; Chris Dockins; Leighia Eggett; Katie Flowers; Andrew Hunt; Mary Lamble; Dana McAfee; Jason McHaney; Amanda McIntosh; Lauren McMackin; Sharon Mumford; Joel Quimby; Jill Slayden; Dan Stayton; Julie Stayton; Jennifer Swanson; Joseph Taylor; and Amie Tooley.

Photo: The Paducah Board of Commissioners and City staff recognized the Paducah Citizens’ Academy graduates at the June 24 City Commission meeting. A few of the participants were not able to attend the ceremony.

 

2020-2024

Academy had to be cancelled due to COVID-19 in 2020 and was not held from 2021 through 2024.

2019

Photo from the Graduation Ceremony held May 14, 2019.  A few of the participants were not able to attend the ceremony.

2018

Photo from the Graduation Ceremony held June 12, 2018.  There were 21 academy participants.  Some were not able to attend the ceremony.